Something about James Bay



THE CATS CAME BACK!

By Holly Rowland

We hadn’t seen a single solitary cat until one bushy dark grey cat strolled by our patio window, followed a short time later by a marmalade tiger cat, followed by a black and white cat. One wonders where these cats have been for the past several months. Another unusual sight was that of an obese raccoon that waddled through our little garden, evidently on its way to Beacon Hill Park, and was also seen upon its return….in broad daylight!

The dear little singing birds visit us no longer; the crow brigade has chased them away. All the beautiful birds have vanished since those black brigands seem to have taken over Beacon Hill Park. To protect your heads ( not to honour them) be sure to wear a hat when walking through Beacon Hill Park.

Henry is still alive and Jamesbayites are always careful to feed him and not to run him over. As I write, the barricades are still up under the heronry. The Parks People keep hoping that the Herons will be back. Such Faith…but we know that they are dreaming and that the barricades will be down long before you read this. The only two Canada Geese flying by my kitchen window seem to be a devoted couple, perhaps one day we may see their little darlings flying like jet –stream behind them.

Fred Hook sends good news for birders: From one pair of Cooper’s Hawks which settled here a year ago, the clan has grown to three pairs. One is nesting at the north end of Beacon Hill Park by the arbutus tree, the second behind the Burns Monument and the third in Lovers Lane. No sign of the ospreys nesting on the new platform, but perhaps better luck next time. Unfortunately, a pack of Eastern Cottontails has invaded the Park, and cute as these bunnies are, they LOVE our wild flowers. Incidentally, they are grayish brown with white tipped tails. Old Mother Nature seems to be on track as the clan of Barn Owls has increased and their favourite food? You’ve guessed it. Rabbits!

We are now sans car. My amazing husband decided that his reactions were not as young as they used to be, and that it was time to say “adieu” to his licence and his car! No wonder I love the guy! Kindness blooms in James Bay akin to the flowers….we have had so many offers to drive us ‘anywhere our little hearts desire.’ What a temptation, but so far we have resisted, as we are fortunate enough to have a wonderful daughter, Sister Kerry, to drive us at most times and half-price Taxi and Handi-Dart tickets when she is not free. And good news for all the friends of our beloved hairdresser, Harold, who makes us all look so much better outside, and feel so great inside, as he waves his magic scissors over our heads. Almost as great as a trip to Mexico from which “Mr. Magic” has just returned.

The flower baskets which have kept all the Parks people busy as bees will be already hanging along the streets of Victoria when you read this. Impatiens is featured in baskets that hang in the shade. All beautiful, and the creation of so many busy hands. Thank you all so very much, those baskets make Victoria truly “The City of Flowers.”